Prologue

“…After decades of advancements in technology and science, humanity gradually developed an addiction and soon after suffered from nothing less than a substance abuse. Much like that of any drug, this addiction blinded the people to long-term effects. Focus fell only on the immediate gratifications of the present with disregard to future consequences. Blind obsession coupled with greed began a snowball effect towards global conflict.

With the beginning of industrial revolutions in what previously were third world countries, the world’s fossil fuels became more and more scarce. Nations began to take up arms in efforts to control precious natural resources. Leaders refused to address the damage humanity had done to the planet and their dependence on fossil fuels only grew. As resources depleted while consumption increased, entire armies were fortified in efforts to secure what little was left.

Large-scale, violent conflicts over fossil fuels became everyday events. Blockades were implemented across the globe; fuel shortages disabled entire nations and began crumbling the global economy. Powerful nations hogged diminishing resources as they became more precious than gold. The needs of less fortunate nations were forgotten. As resources continued to grow scarce many international relationships fractured. Chaos set in on a global scale and rumors of a third world war began.

Threats were made against the US and action was immediately taken. A U.S. Navy General named Clayton Vice established an eloquent solution to the two primary issues, energy and peace. First, Vice focused on the energy crisis, proclaiming that fossil fuels would have to become obsolete. The advancement of nuclear fusion became the focal point of his work. Attention was turned to Helium 3, a resource readily available on the Moon. Many organizations, from multiple countries, combined efforts with the help of Vice and drafted plans for a lunar mining operation which lead to the creation of the International Lunar Outpost. The Outpost was produced in space at the International Space Station very rapidly through experimental zero-gravity construction. Some of which included the use of nanotechnology and electromagnetic polymers.

During the construction of the Outpost, Vice’s attention turned to the restoration of global order. Looking to history for a solution, he found one in the Second World War and how its conclusion was directly linked to the displaying of the Atomic Bomb. Information reached General Vice about research being done on Ion Beam technology. In an attempted to recreate the emotions that the Atomic Bomb of the 20th century forced into the public, Vice envisioned a coupling of the new Ion Cannon technology with the recently endeavored space based construction. The country was on Vice’s side as he reestablished the US as a global power. Once the Lunar Outpost was completed and successfully landed on the surface of the Moon, construction of the first Space-Based Ion Cannon started. Man living on the moon became a reality as humans began harvesting Helium 3.

The construction of Vice’s Space Based Ion Cannon, known as SBIC, took very little time as the art of space construction became mastered. The extensive testing of its functionality, byproducts and environmental aftermath easily doubled its build time. Even with the hope of He3 saving humans from their self inflicted energy crisis, war increased as Vice was tied up in bureaucracy.

Eventually the continuous threats of a multi-national nuclear attack by North Korea pushed the U.S. Military to give General Vice clearance to demonstrate his powerful new weapon. A single Ion blast devastated an entire N. Korean nuclear arms facility, as expected the world froze in awe of America’s new super weapon. An almost instant global truce was enforced by Vice and the power of his unrivaled SBIC. As the lunar surface began being mined for Helium 3, Vice patrolled the globe upon his Ionic throne. The American public was in love with their newest defense system and the man who personified it.

During a routine resupply at SBIC ground control, an act of terrorism left the SBIC destroyed, killing most of the crew. With the disabling of the SBIC, the US lost its advantage and a dog eat dog mentality quickly spread across the globe. The race to obtain global military dominance began. Like a furious caged beast that escaped, nations struck at each other without regard or remorse. The struggle to fill the power void lead to the beginning of the First Nuclear World War. Cities were laid to waste and entire countries were transformed into deserts in seconds. Once the first nuclear warhead detonated upon enemy soil, it took less than an hour for humans to destroy over a billion of themselves…"

“A Complete Human History, Vol. 2: The Earth System” Crabtree, R, ©2525, 8.15.2d

Chapter 1: Happy Fuckin' Hollidays